A curated community board for freelance illustrators and comic creators

Weekly Roundup – January 27, 2017

Hello! Welcome again to another Weekly Roundup. In the Weekly Roundup, I provide links and summarized information about the crowdfunded projects, creator opportunities, and resources that have caught my eye over the week. I hope you enjoy!

As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site unless otherwise listed.

Helping Others

Are you a US resident wondering what to do about recent executive orders, gag orders, cabinet confirmations, and the future of your country? Sign up with 5calls.org to find out who to call about specific, pressing issues and what to say. Countable is also an informative resource (though I’ve personally been having issues with the app).

Take care and take your time. Your work is more important than ever. Thank you for sharing your originality and openness with the world. You bring light to the days of others, and it is so, so appreciated.

Crowdfunded Projects

Wicked Love, an otome visual novel/dating sim game, is running a Kickstarter to fund additional artwork, storylines, and character designs for the game. Wicked Love has over 21 different endings determined by your choices and puzzle-solving abilities. Tier options include digital wallpapers, printable valentines, vinyl stickers, coloring page sets, character pillows, and the game itself. The Kickstarter ends February 2.

Serving Pride: The Queer History Dinner Party Handbook is running a Kickstarter to fund its production. To quote the Kickstarter: “In the model of the Passover Haggadah, Serving Pride will guide a group of dinner guests through a ritual meal where history is retold through readings, songs, games, recipes, and artwork.” Tier options include physical and digital copies of the final product, posters, and hardcover copies. The Kickstarter ends February 3.

Touken Ranbu Collaborative Fanbook is running a Kickstarter to fund its production. 20 international artists collaborated to create a 32-page full color book of Touken Ranbu Online illustrations. Tier options include a phone wallpaper, stickers, postcards, and a copy of the book. The Kickstarter ends February 4.

Monster Pop! Volume 2 is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its second volume. Monster Pop! follows the adventures of George Tinsley, a student cyclops radio broadcaster in college. The story is a slice of life romantic comedy with shoujo manga influences and a cast full of LGBTQA+ characters. Tier options include postcards, video tutorials, iron-on patches, enamel pins, prints, charms, commissions, the book itself in print or digital form, and more. The Kickstarter ends February 6.

Undercities: A Short Story Anthology is running a Kickstarter to fund its printing. Undercities features over 300 pages of written urban fantasy stories from LGBTQIA+ authors and authors of color. Although the Kickstarter has reached goals, stretch goals include additional payment for the creators involved. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the book, an enamel pin, bookmarks, and prints. The Kickstarter ends February 15.

Chameleon Pens Color Tops is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its new Color Top line. Chameleon Pens take the guesswork out of blending alcohol markers and the new refillable tops allow you to blend complementary colors and different values of similar hues. Tier options include the new Color Tips, Color Tips refills, Chameleon Pens themselves, blender and detail pens, Color Tones colored pencils, and storage cases. The Kickstarter ends February 17.

Love Debut! Graphic Novel is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its softcover print edition graphic novel. Love Debut! is a story about two young musicians who find love, trust, and empowerment through each other and their music. Tier options include PDF and print editions of the book, a bookmark, a print set, stickers, an acrylic charm, a character cameo, and a thank you sketch. The Kickstarter ends February 24.

My Dad Thinks I’m A Boy?! A Trans-Positive Children’s Book is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of 3000 hardcover copies of the book. The story aims to empower trans kids and deliver a body-positive message. This will be Sophie’s third children’s book, and the third centered on characters who are trans. Tier options include PDF and hard cover copies of the book, Sophie’s previous books and comics, a set of postcards, translation services, and a book reading. The Kickstarter ends February 26.

Creative Opportunities

General

Check the Lemma Soft Forums for paid work related to visual novel and game development, including project management, illustration, voice acting work, animation, music composition, writing, coding, and more.

SXSW Create has space available for companies with a focus on 3D printing, drones, biohacking, hardware, science, technology, bio-art, hacker/maker spaces, robots, STEAM, or artists. Underwritten space is available for educators, amateur innovators/makers, early stage startup companies, or other members of the maker and creative community.

Animation

Here is a survey for Women Professionals in Animation. If you work in animation and identify as a woman, please submit your anonymous information to this survey to inform and assist current and future animators.

You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like DHX Media, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, freelance, and remote positions available, including those in social media, editing, and teaching.

Nature and Humans: A Comic Anthology is accepting comic submissions until January 30. Final submissions will need to be between 4-8 pages and in full color. Payment for art to be determined by funds raised through crowdfunding after the book is printed and shipped.

Another Closet, a collection of poetry, fiction, comics, and essays by queer + trans folks and/or survivors living with addiction, is accepting submissions until January 31. Anonymity can be requested.

Draw Your Own Hero and tweet to @PREVIEWSworld with hashtag #PREVIEWShero for a chance to win a series of How to Draw books and an appearance in a future issue of PREVIEWS. Submit by January 31.

Gothic Tales of Haunted Love is accepting applications until February 1. About 10 applications will be accepted into the anthology, and creators will be paid $50 per page with potential bonuses. Final submissions should be gothic romance comics 1-10 pages in length.

Swan Song is accepting submissions for their music-themed anthology until February 1. Submissions must be in full color and contributors must have previously lived in or currently live in British Columbia. Submissions should be up to 9 pages in length, and contributors will be paid $50/page.

The Silent Manga Audition is holding an “extra” round titled Kumamoto Round 2017. The theme is “to bring as much smiles and laughter” to the people of Kumamoto, an island affected by the earthquakes in April 2016. submit a 5-17 page comic by February 15 for the chance to win a trip to Japan, attendance at workshops, and a SEJ011 watch.

Hellcat Press is accepting applications for their upcoming Tales from the Public Domain anthology until February 28. Creative teams will be paid $20 for up to ten pages of black and white work and will retain copyright of their work.

Issue 5 of The Strumpet is accepting submissions on the theme of “Origin Story” until March 1. First-time contributors may submit up to 3 pages of comics; past contributors, up to 6. The Strumpet will pay $10/page for a 6-month license fee. First-time contributors will receive two copies of the issue; prior contributors will receive three.

The Silent Manga Audition announced its seventh run of its worldwide dialogue-free comic competition. The theme is “unforgettable taste.” Entries are due by March 31.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31.

Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that previously published Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Jeff Smith’s Bone, and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet, is accepting submissions for graphic novelists creating works for children and teens. Visit their site for more information. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Jerry’s Art-A-Rama hosts a number of art contests, some ongoing and some requiring specific materials. Check what’s open and see if you can qualify. Enter this contest by describing why you use Jerry’s Art-A-Rama for a chance to win a $15 gift card.

ICE CREAM 2017, The Iowa City Expo for Comics and Real Eclectic Alternative Media, is currently accepting applications for table space for the event on April 8.

Follow Con_Calendar on Twitter or download the ConCon app to stay updated on convention schedules!

Mentorships

The Representation Matters Mentorship Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis from self-identified people of color interested in the publishing industry. Mentorships will last 6 months, with a minimum of one session every two months.

Scholarships, Sponsorships, and Grants

The fifth annual Cartoonist Studio Prize is accepting applications until January 31. Submit your name to be considered for one of two $1000 prizes, awarded for Print Comic of the Year and Web Comic of the Year.

AbleGamers has partnered with TrainJam to sponsor an independent game developer with disabilities. The gamer will go on a 3-day train trip from Chicago to San Diego, where they will also attend the Game Developer’s Conference. Apply by February 1 to be considered.

The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant is accepting applications until March 1. Grants will be awarded to a successful applicant in order to assist in the publication and promotion of LGBTQIA+ comics. The recipient will be announced at a panel at this year’s WonderCon in Anaheim, California.

The Tulsa Artist Fellowship is accepting applications until March 1. Recipients will receive a $20,000 stipend, work space, and housing. Fellowships are merit-based, not project grants, with a one-year term for visual artists and a two-year term for writers.

Typesetting

Voice Acting

Writing and Editing

Lambda Literary Writer’s Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is accepting applications until January 30. 12 students per workshop spend a week attending intensive classes, workshops, and lectures featuring reknowned voices in modern queer storytelling, such as Malinda Lo and Phillip Howze, and other publishing industry professionals.

Another Closet, a collection of poetry, fiction, comics, and essays by queer + trans folks and/or survivors living with addiction, is accepting submissions until January 31. Anonymity can be requested.

Dreaming Robot Press is accepting submissions of science fiction for middle grade readers between 3000 and 6000 words in length. Please endeavor to include diverse and relatable characters and experiences. Submit by January 31 to be considered.

Sapphire Books has an open call for submissions for stories from 1500-5000 words involving lesbians and long distance relationships. Contributors will be paid $50 and will receive a copy of the book. Submit by February 28 for consideration.

Impossible Archetype is accepting international submissions of LGBTQIA+ poetry in English for their inaugural issue. Submissions close March 1. See guidelines here.

Arsenika is open for fiction, poetry, and artwork submissions through March 15. Payment for accepted submissions is $0.01 per word, with a minimum of $5. Read here for more information.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

Online monthly magazine The Dark is accepting submissions from 2000 to 6000 words in length. Encouraged genres include horror and dark fantasy, but graphic, violent horror is not desired. Payment is $0.03/word for up to 6000 words. Republishing payment is $0.01/word.

Random House’s digital-only imprint Hydra has open submissions for completed works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror categories. There is no word count limit for submissions, but full-length works of 40,000 words or more are preferred. Accepted writers will be assigned to a Random House editor, marketer, and publicist. Response time is usually 2-4 weeks.

Pink Narcissus Press is seeking complete novel and novella manuscripts of 50,000 words or more. They are interested in well-written but non-mainstream speculative fiction with strong elements of sci-fi or fantasy.

Youth

The 11th Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is accepting submissions from children and youth between ages 4 and 15 until January 31. Winners will have the chance to travel to Tokyo, Japan for the international awards ceremony and other programs.

Level-8 Comics is hosting a Design a Character competition for creators ages 5-15 until January 31. Design one hero and one villain to be drawn and featured in issue 1 of Late Knights: A Sense of Steel.

Check out Comics Club, a new blog that highlights and connects comics clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators. Comics Club is currently hoping to hear from teachers and other educators, existing comics clubs, or members of the community with insight to offer or events to share.

Resources

A number of Animation Resources have been uploaded to Flickr. Historical collections of walk cycles, reference sheets, and more are available for study.

Becca Hillburn is not only a provider of extensive, honest, and high-quality product reviews and tutorials, she’s a full-time comic artist and illustrator passionate about children’s lit and helping others. Check out her store, her book, or her Patreon and send her a “thank you” message if you can!

CharacterDesignReferences.com has amassed and organized a huge volume of work suited for, you guessed it, character design reference. This includes humans, animals, landscapes, and more. Check out the web version here or go straight to Pinterest to check out their boards.

Check out Comics Club, a new blog that highlights and connects comics clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators. Comics Club is currently hoping to hear from teachers and other educators, existing comics clubs, or members of the community with insight to offer or events to share.

The Creative Market offers new free resources each week. Sign up via email to be alerted each Monday!

Giveaways

Experiments in Manga is hosting a giveaway of the first volume of Please Tell Me! Galko-Chan. Leave a comment about your favorite manga with color pages for a chance to win. Giveaway ends February 1. Be sure to check the Experiments in Manga blog for insightful, spoiler-free reviews of manga and important literature!

That’s it for this week! Look out for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Something you know about but don’t see here? Comments and suggestions as this year comes to a close and a new one begins? Let me know!

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